Today, July 9, the “National Transplant Day” is remembered, and in tribute to the date, the Ministry of Health provided several testimonies from transplant patients.
Some brief testimonies of transplanted people
The first testimony is from Alberto López, 48 years old: a heart transplant recipient, he benefited from a donation almost four years ago. He comments that, although the moments he spent since 2011, waiting for a heart, were very hard, he feels grateful that today he can do little things like walking, running or climbing stairs without getting tired quickly.
“I can do these things that are normal for healthy people, but for me they are wonderful things. I cannot express in words the emotion of being alive and feeling the affection of my family”, she underlined. For this reason, he encourages people to be donors.
* Tatiana Benítez, from San Lorenzo: she had a heart transplant when she was 6 years old, today, at the age of 21, she bears witness to the 15 years that have passed through this second opportunity, which allowed her to develop her childhood and adolescence in a normal way.
She leaves a message to relatives of deceased people who can be organ donors, “it is very difficult to put yourself in the place of a person who lost a loved one, but you must always keep in mind that a decision can save the life of another person ”, he stated.
* Diego Vera, 41 years old: was on the verge of death after an irregular puncture of one of his kidneys, for which he had to receive a transplant. The surgery was a success, 11 years ago.
Since then, he can lead a normal life. “I was transplanted on April 13, 2011 and thank God I am very well. I tell people to donate their organs to those in need, so I can save lives on the waiting list,” he said.
* Luz Salinas, 21 years old: a native of San Ignacio, Misiones, she received a kidney transplant on December 8, 2016. It has been almost six years since that day. “My life has changed and improved a lot, now I can do things that I couldn’t do before, because she was on dialysis,” she said.
Luz urges all people to say yes to life, “just as they gave me the opportunity, there are other people who need it. When you decide to donate, you are giving a second chance at life to that person who is struggling every day to survive, “she said.
What is needed to be a donor
Currently, it is no longer necessary to register as an organ and/or tissue donor (the same donor is excepted for CPH), since, through Law No. 6,170/18, we were all declared presumed donors.
In the same way, if the person wishes to express their desire to be a donor, the registration form is available, which must be completed, signed and then sent by mail to [email protected], attaching a photocopy or photo of your identity card.
Download the form by clicking on this link https://www.mspbs.gov.py/inat
